Activists in Hobe Sound and Indiantown want their unincorporated communities to become Martin County's newest towns.

They're aiming for a Sept. 6 deadline to file their requests with the state, the first step toward getting the questions on the November 2017 ballot.

"We're trying to do what we think is best for the people of this town," said Pat Martin, one of the five Hobe Sound organizers.

Their effort stems partially from last year's decision by Martin County to keep $2.8 million in community-development funds — intended for Hobe Sound — in the general fund and to reject the Neighborhood Advisory Council's proposed upgrades to Hobe Sound's downtown area on Bridge Road, according to Michael Ennis, whose 33 years in Hobe Sound is the shortest among the organizers.

Still, while he called that move "the straw that broke the camel's back ... the main issue is self-determination."

Likewise, the Indiantown campaign is ramping up because the community "wants to control its own future, make its own decisions," according to Indiantown Marina owner Scott Watson.

Both groups have hired BJM Consulting Inc. of Cape Coral to prepare feasibility studies of their proposed incorporations. They also are using the same law firm to draft their proposed charters.

For Hobe Sound, incorporating would mean "a redistribution of tax revenues," rather than any influx of additional money, according to BJM President Joe Mazurkiewicz Jr. "There's very little new revenue as a result of a new community."

He cautioned both communities, though, that of the 25 communities he has advised on their charter efforts over the past 25 years, only four received charters. The most recent was Estero, whose referendum in 2014 was approved by 87 percent of voters.

About half of the 21 unsuccessful charter efforts were withdrawn for various reasons, Mazurkiewicz said.

Before any referendum, however, each proposal must receive unanimous support from the Martin County legislative delegation, be introduced as a bill in the 2017 Legislative session and then be passed by the state House and Senate.

In Hobe Sound, where incorporation has been discussed for decades, proponents are eyeing the most densely populated and compact area. They're proposing boundaries of Osprey Street on the north, Jonathan Dickinson State Park to the south, the Indian River Lagoon on the east and 138th Street on the west.

Population would be 15,362; taxable real estate value would be more than $2 billion.

Adjacent developments, mostly to the north, could be annexed after Hobe Sound receives its charter, Ennis said.

Incorporation and eventual growth shouldn't be "a battle between us and the county," said Martin.

Indiantown's proposed boundaries would mirror the urban-services boundary, creating a town of about 6,000.

Proponents in both unincorporated areas already have held community meetings to gather input and share their progress.

Hobe Sound's plan is for "government lite," according to Ennis. The new town would have five commissioners and only five employees: town manager, assistant manager, city clerk, finance director and administrative assistant.